Improvement in photographic backgrounds



L. MOBERLY. Photographic-Background.

N 0. 216,435. Patented J u ne 10, 1879.

{ I ATTORNEY N. PETERS PROTOYLITKOGRAPHER, WASHINGTONv 0 c.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

LOUIS MOBERLY, OF MCKINNEY, TEXAS.

lMPROVEMENT IN PHOTOGRAPHIC BACKGROUNDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 216,435, dated June 10, 1879;

April '7 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS Monnnnv, of McKinney, in the county of Collin and State of Texas, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Photographic-Backgronnd Tablets; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of perspective view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the frame-work carrying the slides.

This invention has relation to means for holding and manipulating photographers backgrounds; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of an upright case with narrow front standards, back braces, and inside top and bottom grooves or slide ways, and in connection therewith a pivoted slideway extension or foot, all as hereinafter shown and described.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the base of my tablet or case, which is provided with casters a in suitable recesses under the base, so as to be hidden from sight. From this base extends upward the corner standards 13, which are made narrow in front, so that they will not form an obstruction in the view when two or more backgrounds are used together. These standards support the top O, which forms a protectingcover, and shields the backgrounds from dust and water, which sometimes leak through the glazed ceilings of photographers rooms. The back of the tablet is strengthened by means of longitudinal and diagonal braces D. The front of the tablet is open and serves to expose the first background of the series for use. On the interior the base and top are provided with grooves or slideways l), which, respectively, receive the upper and lower strips of the backgroundslides E, which are usually provided with small rollers, and are application filed run in and out of the case through its open ends, to which the grooves or slideways extend. Along the end of the base runs a sliderod, 0, which is connected thereto, and carries a runner or slide, (1, to which is pivoted one end of an extension or slide-foot, 0. This slideextension is formed on its upper surface with a groove or slideway on the same level with those in the tablet-base, and its outer end is provided with a caster, g. This slide-foot is pivoted to slide horizontally, and is designed to support any one of the backgrounds, which may be run out of the tablet upon it either in the plane of the first background or at an angle therewith to bring the background ends in focus. It also serves to enable the operator to quickly change the backgrounds to different slideways, or to reverse them, when necessary, as they are usually made with views on both sides. This extension 0 is provided with a hook, h, at its outer end, and when not in use may be swung up against the tablet at one corner, and connected thereto by means of said hook and catch it.

This tablet will be found of much use to the photographer in eeonomizing the space usually occupied by backgrounds, which are quite large and bulky when provided with feet, as is usually the case. It also protects the backgrounds, and enables the operator to handle them with facility.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A photographers background tablet hav ing grooved base A'and grooved top 0, open front and ends, and a pivoted extension or slidefoot, 0, connected to the end of the base, and on a level therewith, to facilitate the manipulation of the backgrouinl-siides, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

. LOUIS MOBERLY.

Witnesses:

Gnonen WILLIAM CAMERON, HENRY ARTHUR FINcH. 

